Christopher Ashley News

To commemorate the Shubert Theatre Box Office opening for the new Broadway musical MEMPHIS there will be special performances by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan, the Cast of MEMPHIS, and VH1 Save the Music Foundation student keyboard ensemble from Jersey City's MS 41. on Wednesday, August 26th at 12pm.

La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to present The 39 Steps, directed by Maria Aitken and adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow, based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, based on the book by John Buchan. The production will run August 11 - September 13 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre (media night: Sunday August 16 at 7:00 pm). The 39 Steps will make its West Coast premiere at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre before starting on a national tour.

La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to present The 39 Steps, directed by Maria Aitken and adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow, based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, based on the book by John Buchan. The production will run August 11 - September 13 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre (media night: Sunday August 16 at 7:00 pm). The 39 Steps will make its West Coast premiere at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre before starting on a national tour.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that Restoration, written by and starring two-time Tony Award nominee Claudia Shear and directed by Christopher Ashley, will be the final play in the theatre?s 2009-10 season, slated for production in spring 2010.

THE BIG TIME, a World Premiere musical with a book by Douglas Carter Beane and music and lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen will be given a private reading on August 4th in New York City. THE BIG TIME will be directed by Christopher Ashley.

Full casting was announced today for MEMPHIS, an original Broadway musical, opening Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street) following critically-acclaimed and sold-out engagements at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre. Previews begin on Wednesday, September 23, 2009.

Trade in any textbook for a complimentary ticket to Assume the Position with Mr. Wuhl, the show that proves the truth is funnier than fiction! Textbooks may be traded in for tickets at the box office 30 minutes prior to a performance. Offer subject to ticket availability. All collected textbooks will be donated to Bridge to Asia, a not-for-profit organization that supports the modernization of higher education in developing countries in Asia, principally China.

Two-Time Emmy Winner, Robert Wuhl, brings his HBO special, Assume The Position. to the stage at Ars Nova for a limited workshop performance beginning July 29 - August 7, 2009

The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center today announces several additions to the creative team for Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure. According to producer Judith Lisi, president and CEO of TBPAC, Marguerite Derricks will choreograph the production and Ron Melrose will serve as music supervisor and provide vocal and dance arrangements as well as incidental music. Susan Hilferty, Neil Patel and Paul Gallo will design the costumes, sets and lights respectively, while Jon Weston will design the sound and Sven Ortel will design video and projections.

La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to present The 39 Steps, directed by Maria Aitken and adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow, based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, based on the book by John Buchan. The production will run August 11 - September 13 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre (media night: Sunday August 16 at 7:00 pm). The 39 Steps will make its West Coast premiere at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre before starting on a national tour.

La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to present The 39 Steps, directed by Maria Aitken and adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow, based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, based on the book by John Buchan. The production will run August 11 - September 13 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre (media night: Sunday August 16 at 7:00 pm). The 39 Steps will make its West Coast premiere at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre before starting on a national tour.

THE BIG TIME, a World Premiere musical with a book by Douglas Carter Beane and music and lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen will be given a private reading on August 4th in New York City. THE BIG TIME will be directed by Christopher Ashley.

La Jolla Playhouse announced today the addition of the world-premiere musical Bonnie & Clyde, to its 2009-10 season, replacing The Big Time. This production features music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel), lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance), book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and direction by Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West's Big River and Pippin, Grease!). Bonnie & Clyde will run November 10 - December 20, 2009 in the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre.

Jane Fonda has taken to her blog to discuss Michael Jackson and her thoughts on death itself. The actress says she 'knew (Jackson) as well as one could know him' but that she 'couldn't pretend to understand him.'

La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of Restoration, written by and starring award-winning playwright/actress Claudia Shear (Dirty Blonde, Blown Sideways Through Life), directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley. Commissioned by La Jolla Playhouse, Restoration runs in the Mandell Weiss Forum June 23 - July 19th. The official opening is tonight, Sunday, June 28th at 7:00 pm.

La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of Restoration, written by and starring award-winning playwright/actress Claudia Shear (Dirty Blonde, Blown Sideways Through Life), directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley. Commissioned by La Jolla Playhouse, Restoration runs in the Mandell Weiss Forum June 23 - July 19 (press opening: Sunday, June 28 at 7:00 pm).

MEMPHIS, an original Broadway musical, will open Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street) following critically-acclaimed and sold-out engagements at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre. Previews begin on Wednesday, September 23, 2009.

The Atlanta Journal is reporting that Jane Fonda is recovering in a Los Angeles hospital following knee replacement surgery on her left leg.

Jane Fonda, star of the recent Broadway production 33 Variations, has taken to her blog to graciously speak about her Tony loss and the experience of returning to the stage.

La Jolla Playhouse announced today the addition of the world-premiere musical Bonnie & Clyde, to its 2009-10 season, replacing The Big Time. This production features music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel), lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance), book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and direction by Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West's Big River and Pippin, Grease!). Bonnie & Clyde will run November 10 - December 20, 2009 in the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre.